“Worth”
Ad sponsor: Mark Udall for Colorado
Producer: Dixon-Davis Media
Type and length: Television; 30-second spot.
Airing: Statewide on both cable and broadcast.
Using montage shots of veterans, ranchers and smiling children interspersed with images of active combat soldiers and Colorado cityscapes, the ad essentially lays out Udall’s criticism of post- 9/11 foreign policy: The army is under strain after six years of war; the country hasn’t done enough for young veterans returning from combat; and the main theater of operations should be Afghanistan rather than Iraq.
Claim: “These days, maybe you’re wondering: Isn’t there a better way to protect America? I think so. Add an entire new division to our Army.”
Fact: In 2005, Udall co-sponsored the U.S. Army Relief Act, which would have added 80,000 soldiers to the size of the standing army. That and a similar bill in the Senate failed to make it out of committee, but Udall supports renewing the effort. Republicans cite several votes to suggest that the five-term congressman isn’t as committed to the military as he suggests. He did vote to cut $3 billion from Defense Department spending in 2000, before the terrorist attacks. But his vote in 2005 against a $453.5 billion Defense appropriations bill was in response to the GOP’s insertion in the bill of a provision that would have allowed drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge — a tactical maneuver. The provision was dropped in the Senate and the funding bill passed.
Claim: “Do right by our veterans.”
Fact: Udall has co-sponsored the 21st Century GI Bill of Rights, which would extend to young veterans educational benefits similar to those given to veterans of World War II, including paying for college tuition, room and board. Republicans point out that Udall voted against protecting funding for homeless and disabled veterans from cuts in 2007, a Republican-sponsored effort that would have shifted money from Section 8 housing. In response, Udall’s campaign listed more than 40 examples of the Democrat’s support for veterans, including helping to secure $61.3 million for a new VA medical facility in Colorado.
Claim: “And finally hunt down Osama bin Laden.”
Fact: Since at least 2004, Udall has said the U.S. focus should be on al-Qaeda and catching bin Laden. This year, he co-sponsored legislation to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan.
Claims are: TRUE
